Country of Origin:JapanRegion:Nishio,
AichiHarvest:First
FlushGrade:Powdered
Matcha for
beverages and pastriesInfusion:Very
bright green liquid with light and fresh natural sweetness.Cup Characteristics: The
quality of Japanese tea
is considered a harmony
of fresh bitterness and natural sweetness.Information:

Matcha is
an ancient method of processing tea in which the raw
leaves are steamed and ground to a powder. This type of powdered tea
was
introduced in Japan
by Zen
monks from China
in the late 12th Century.

Zen Buddhist monks consumed Matcha
while meditating
to stay alert and calm. From the perspective of Zen Buddhism, the
Japanese tea
ceremony can be seen as a way to achieve enlightenment and to follow
the path
to spiritual and aesthetic perfection. The ceremony is intertwined with
three
philosophical concepts essential to Zen Buddhism: Yugen or innermost
beauty;
Sabi or the beauty of the ordinary; and Wabi, eternal loneliness.

Cultivation
and preparation require special methods. Several weeks before
the harvest the leaves are covered to hide them from direct sunlight.
This makes them more tender and juicy, less bitter, and
richer in amino acids. The young leaves are harvested while
still tender and then dried, stems removed, and made into a powder.
Production is very limited. This brings out a sweet taste or
Umami with less bitterness. The manufactured leaves are
milled like flour to produce a fine green powder. In Japan,
Umami is considered to be the fifth human taste, rounding out sweet,
sour, salt, and bitter.

This
tea is a powerhouse
of antioxidants and contains L-theanine, which helps relax the mind,
enhance
mood, focus, and alertness.Matcha
contains 137 times more antioxidants than plain green tea.

The
people of the Okinawa
islands have an average
life expectancy of almost 90 years and low rates of chronic disease.
The
highest quality matcha is produced and consumed there and health
experts
attribute the native Okinawans’ longevity and vitality to regular
consumption
of Japanese Matcha tea.

We
recommend that you freeze unopened packages of tea. After
opening, store your tea in an airtight container in a cool dark
cabinet, but not your refrigerator. Storing open packages in
a refrigerator may cause moisture to condense inside the package,
harming the tea. Once the package is opened, the tea has a
shelf life of three months.

Brewing
Instructions

Brewing
Matcha powdered
tea is very different than steeping the leaves. You should have at
least one
special tool, a bamboo whisk called a chasen. Start with boiling water
and two
cups.

1)
Pour boiling water i
one of the cups.

2)
Measure Matcha into
the other cup. Use special Matcha tea spoon or half teaspoon.

3)
Pour 3 oz water from
the cup into the Matcha cup.

4)
Whisk the Matcha with
the water until foam is formed.

Matcha
is a fine powder
made from tea leaves. The powdered leaf doesn't dissolve in the water,
but is
suspended in the liquid. Consequently, it is important to enjoy this
drink
before the tea powder settles to the bottom of the cup.

Traditionally,
this tea is
taken without sugar, honey, or milk and consumed in silence and peace.

You
can also add Matcha
powder to your lattes, smoothies, ice cream, muffins, and any food you
would
like to augment with its unique and beneficial nutrients and beautiful
green
color.